Ichthyofaunal Diversity and Limnological Characteristics of the Kakodonga River Flowing in Golaghat District Assam, India
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Abstract
The present study investigates the ichthyofaunal diversity and distribution patterns in relation to various limnological parameters across five sites along the Kakodonga River in the Golaghat district of Assam, India. A total of 46 fish species, 36 genera, 21 families, and 9 orders were recorded. The family Cyprinidae exhibited the highest species richness (eight species), followed by Danionidae (five species) and Sisoridae (four species). Total suspended solids (TSS) and conductivity (Con) had a significant positive influence on the spatial fish abundance, while dissolved oxygen (DO) and water temperature (Tem) significantly affected temporal variations in fish abundance. Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA) based on site-wise data, revealed that TSS and conductivity were the primary environmental variables shaping the spatial distribution of fish species, collectively explaining 79.11% of the total variance across the first two ordination axes. Site- specific fish assemblages were identified through Bray-Curtis analysis. The Shannon-Weiner diversity index (H), Pielou’s evenness index (J), Simpson’s diversity index (1 ̶ λ), and taxonomic distinctness (Δ*) did not exhibit significant seasonal variation (p≥0.05). However, Margalef’s richness index (d) and abundance per sampling event showed significant seasonal differences. Site-wise comparisons revealed significant differences in all diversity indices except for Pielou’s evenness index, which remained consistent across sites. These findings provide essential baseline data for fish assemblages and their environmental drivers that can support future monitoring and conservation of the Kakodonga River ecosystem.
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